Cool MateReveal vs Show
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Reveal
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Show
High-frequency chunkA1verb
Most common: Show
| Reveal | Show | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈviːl//🇺🇸 //rɪˈviːl// | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃəʊ/","/ʃəʊz/","/ʃəʊd/","/ʃəʊn/","/ˈʃəʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃəʊ/","/ʃəʊz/","/ʃəʊd/","/ʃəʊn/","/ˈʃəʊɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To show something that was hidden. | to let someone see something |
| Example | The magician will reveal his trick at the end of the show. | Can you show me how to solve this math problem? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | High-frequency chunk |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | reveal a secret, reveal the truth, reveal information, reveal findings | clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, hardly, begin to, let something, hardly, begin to, let something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something, clearly, conclusively, convincingly, appear to, seem to, go to, to, a chance to show something |
| Antonyms | conceal, hide, suppress | hide, conceal, cover |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'reveal' vs 'disclose'. 'Reveal' implies showing something hidden, while 'disclose' implies make known., Incorrectly using 'reveal' with an implied object. Must specify what is being revealed., Overusing in casual contexts where simpler words like 'show' may be more appropriate. | Confused with 'exhibit' in formal contexts, Using incorrectly as a noun instead of a verb, Confusing the past tense 'showed' with 'shown' |
| Usage notes | Use 'reveal' in contexts of uncovering information, secrets, or new insights. Suitable for both formal and informal situations. | Use 'show' when presenting something to someone. Avoid in very formal contexts; instead, use 'demonstrate'. Common in everyday conversation. |
Frequently asked questions: Reveal vs Show
What's the difference between Reveal and Show?
Reveal: To show something that was hidden. Show: to let someone see something
Which is more common: Reveal and Show?
Show is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Reveal and Show?
Reveal is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Reveal and Show the same CEFR level?
Reveal: B2, Show: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Reveal and Show?
Reveal: verb, Show: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Reveal: The magician will reveal his trick at the end of the show. Show: Can you show me how to solve this math problem?
Can I use Reveal and Show interchangeably?
Not always. Reveal and Show are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.